NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 269 



in which the Gh-aptolites are found. He next referred to the 

 characters of the several species which he exhibited, and how the 

 different genera were distinguished from one another; and also 

 pointed out and referred to other districts in the south of Scotland, 

 and several other parts of the world, in which this interesting 

 class of organisms had been found. In no other place in this 

 country do they seem to occur in such great abundance, or of so 

 many genera and species, as in the dark semi-aluminous shales of 

 Hartfell, Garpel, Bell Craig, and Dobs Linn, all in the vicinity of 

 Moffiit. Mr Dairon concluded his remarks by referring to the 

 various countries from which GraptoUtes have been recorded, 

 stating that they characterise the Silurian system, and especially 

 its lower divisions. He believed that although a considerable 

 amount of work had been done in the investigation of the Moffat 

 shales, much still remains to reward the labours of future investi- 

 gators, as is evidenced by the number of new species of GrrqMltes 

 and Phjllopod crustaceans which have been discovered within the 

 last few years. 



Mr George J. Combe exhibited a large and beautifully prepared 

 collection of British and Exotic Ferns. Among the former there 

 were specimens of Asplenkim fontaniim, A. Germanicum, and A. 

 septe7itrionale, Polypodkm alpestre, Athyriuni Filixfcem.,\&x. Victorioi, 

 Lastrea remota, L. Bamesii; also Trichomanes radicans, and Lastrea 

 cristata, both from the only known Scottish habitats. Mr Combe 

 also exhibited Elatine hexandra, Linnma horealis, Eriocaulon septangn- 

 lare, and the very rare Menziesia cmndea, from the only known 

 habitat in Britain; also part of the stem of a vine, seventy-five 

 years old, cut down in January last in the gardens, Buchanan 

 House. It measured about five inches in diameter. 



PAPERS READ. 



I. — On the Birds of Ayrshire and Wigtownshire. 



By Mr Robert Gray, Secretary, and Mr Thomas Anderson, 



Corresponding Member. 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



The counties of Ayr and Wigtown present many interesting 



features, which appear to be intimately associated with a profusion 



of bird life. A glance at the position and configuration of the 



districts of Kyle, Carrick, and Galloway, will show that the entire 



2b: 



